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Incident Video: 1,000-Foot Laker ‘American Spirit’ Runs Aground in Duluth Harbor

Incident Video: 1,000-Foot Laker ‘American Spirit’ Runs Aground in Duluth Harbor

Mike Schuler
Total Views: 464
June 18, 2018

A screengrab from a Duluth harborcam shows the moment the 990-foot M/V American Spirit grounds just short of the breakwall on June 17, 2018.

Minnesota’s Duluth Harbor was briefly shut on Sunday after a large laker ran aground just short a breakwall.

The 990-foot M/V American Spirit was departing Duluth Harbor fully loaded with taconite when it grounded about 50-feet from the breakwall at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time while attempting to turn out of the harbor.

A time-lapse video made from footage from a harbor camera, which is posted below, shows the incident as it unfolded.

The U.S. Coast Guard reports that the vessel floating free with rising water levels at about 10 p.m.

No injuries or pollution have been reported.

Afterward, American Spirit made its way under its own power to the Husky Fuel dock where the interior and exterior of the hull was examined.

A 500-yard safety zone established around the vessel was canceled when the vessel floated free.

The Duluth Ship Canal, Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, and Minnesota Slip Bridge are open and operating as normal.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Reports say heavy rain has made for treacherous currents in the area.

Incident Videos:

Another video filmed from nearby vessel shows just how close the vessel came to hitting the breakwall:

Watch Next: Famous Laker ‘Paul R. Tregurtha’ Runs Aground in Duluth

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